gelato makes everything better

The only good thing about the immunizations is stopping for gelato / sorbet afterwards at Lorenzo Corno's. Today, he even had cheesecake gelato, which is perfect timing since it's National Cheesecake Day (at least in the US).

This time I was proud to not have any 'kreislauf' (circulation) issues or near fainting spells, although my arms certainly weren't this sore last time.

One more visit to the doctor's and then we'll be on our way!

Geimpft (immunized)

Today we got our first of three rounds of vaccinations at the University. It's nice that they have a special clinic that deals especially with immunizations that are needed for travel.

The Fit for Travel website is also very useful - for both English and German speakers, as is the Center for Disease Control for up to date country specific information.

Something that I really love here in Germany is that they have a yellow passbook that holds all of their immunization records.

Stefan just filled his up, so we both got a new one. His has all of the shots he's been given from the day he was born until now.

I had to tell the doctor my last shots were in 8th grade, which earned me a bit of a scolding. We were both behind on our boosters, however we'll be nearly caught up by the time we leave in September- at least with the most important ones.

Unfortunately I have a history of passing out from shots and I could feel it coming on, so the doctor prepared a drink to get my blood pressure back up which seemed to do the trick.

Mothers also get a book while they are pregnant that they always carry and contains their health records. As the Germans would say, 'wirklich praktisch' (really practical). It certainly does make life easier.

Insurance here has claimed they will pay for all of our vaccinations, which would be very nice considering we went for round one and easily spent over 500€ just today.

After I was having blood pressure issues the doctor laughed as told us he had another women who went to pay and they told her how much she owed that she passed out (also due to low blood pressure).

Ganesha

I love Indian food. I really could eat it daily and I don't think I would get tired of it. Fortunately, there is an amazing restaurant in our neighborhood - called Ganesha.

I adore this place, not only for their delicious food, but because the workers are so kind. They always give me a warm mug of chai tea, while I am waiting for my order and chat with me. Or today he said 'beer...wine...... scotch?' Did I really look like I was having that rough of a day?

They also tell me how much they have missed me (in English) when it's been a while since I have been in. It's really a nice feeling to be missed - and by a place that's so dear to me. Plus, it's nice to get a dose of English now and then. I always sit there in admiration when I hear them speak English, German, and their native Indian dialect. I'm not certain what part of India they are from, but they make me want to travel to India even more. The people I encounter from there always seem so generous and kind - and I love all of the colors, motifs, and clothes that are distinctly Indian.

It's funny because I think I am quite mysterious to them. They have asked if I worked at the consulate or what I am doing here, or if I live near by. One of the workers made me laugh because he told me he wanted to move to America (after checking if I did work at the consulate). I asked where and he thought about it before saying 'New Jersey'. Which I obviously followed up with asking if he had ever been to the US (who picks New Jersey?!). He responded, 'No'. Fair enough. Another worker told me it was his dream to move to the US, but his wife wanted to move to Russia!

When I went in today, the man wanting to go to New Jersey said he was still waiting on papers with the consulate. As selfish as it is of me, I will be sad if he does go to America. This is the problem with living in a foreign country... suddenly the random people I interact with become a piece of my world.

There have been some weeks where I will go in multiple times. Especially if Stefan was on business and didn't want to be bothered with cooking. Or like today, when I went to the doctor's on my own, and she said I had good German. I had to celebrate somehow, so I go to visit my familiar restaurant with delicious food.

I have tried other Indian restaurants in town after friends rave about them, but I am still partial to Ganesha. The food is better, the workers are fantastic, and it's in my neighborhood. If we end up moving later in the year I hope we're not too far, but even so, I know I'd make the trip - not just for the food, but for my favorite restaurant workers.

Sorry about the photos... I know Indian food doesn't look appetizing in the least, but I know photos are always helpful and I don't have a photo of Ganesha.

Doctor + ER in one night

I've always been a bit skeptical of the German doctors and hospitals. I know that they help people, the body is not any different here than back home, and they've done a fine job keeping people alive for eons. It's more a fear of the unknown.

Regardless of knowing all of these things it's always been a worry of mine, that I would encounter some kind of health crisis and then struggle to communicate or understand what was happening to me. I have been warned that if/when I encounter a medical issue it's common to feel a bit of culture shock or panic.

It's such a blessing to speak some German and English. I still think back to the woman in my German class that was pregnant and from Albania. A lot of Eastern European people live in communities here. The ones I have met really struggle to learn German, or simply don't care to, but are required to. That would make me a nervous wreck - but I have to remember if I can't communicate, I have a husband that can help, and I'm in a country with high standards and cleanliness. I start to realize some immigrants are not as fortunate as I am. Even with these complexities the quality of life is higher for them here. It takes a lot of faith to live somewhere like that.

Anyway... back to the purpose of this, before I go on another tangent about immigrants.

Last night was my night. I knew that I was developing a bladder infection and needed to go to the doctor after a week of trying to self medicate with 100% cranberry juice and some medication from the apotheke. When that wasn't cutting it, I knew that I had to schedule things around Stefan - my loving husband and translator's schedule. Fortunately our neighborhood doctor has drop in hours. I had to go then because with Christmas and our upcoming trip everything closes up. I shed a few tears when he came to get me - more for the fear of the unknown than anything else.

I was surprised how small the office was, however we only had to wait for a little while. It was also strange for me to see desks and computers in the doctors office where she saw me. I guess I am used to someone else doing the clerical work where I never see it.

She did some pressing on my stomach and decided that she was worried there could possibly be a problem with my right ovary or appendix. She prescribed some medication for the bladder infection and then told us to double up on birth control otherwise we could get our own 'Christkind' - a funny joke for Christmas. Then she promptly called Dr. Kern and had me sent to the ER at the Rechts der Isar Hospital for an ultra sound, just to be safe.

Yes, I got to experience all of the German medical system in one evening.

Stefan lead me towards where he thought was where the hospital was located and after a couple of wrong turns we made it. The wait wasn't very long and the doctors were all quite young (probably due to the fact that it's partnered with the Technical University here). Everyone was kind and spoke English with me. The most difficult part was finding a vein for blood tests. I was stuck twice and then my last vein dried up before the last vial was pulled, so he had to do it again.

They told us that they think I only had a bad bladder infection, however if I do have continuing pain I will need to go back. I was most concerned about missing our trip and the doctor told me I would have to be in the hospital for three days if I did need an appendectomy. They said they can never really tell unless they go in for surgery, but things looked OK. I almost felt like a tourist attraction because I had to speak with so many doctors. Another woman who worked for a butcher and dropped a 10kg roll of cellophane on her foot also came in and wanted to chat. It's nice to use my German and I know a lot of people love to practice their English. We usually end up responding to one another in our opposite language.

About 5.5 hours from the start of the ordeal we were in the taxi on the way home. We were both surprised at where we were because it's quite close to where we live, however never turn down that street. I was relieved just to be home.

I'm much more comfortable with the doctors here. Now I just have to cope with a few enormous bruises and medication. I'm very happy that our trips won't be affected. Stefan is still trying to get me to visit the German dentist, which I am leery of, because he believes that all old people get dentures. I keep reminding him that if you take good care of your teeth, that dentures aren't essential. I think I'll save the dentist appointments for visits home.


hospital photo: Chirurgische Klinik und Hörsäle